Everything You Need To Know About The Air Jordan 12 “Cherry”

When did the Cherry 12s Debut?

Michael Jordan’s iconic “White/Varsity Red/Black” sneaker first released to the public in 1997.

The Air Jordan 12 was designed by Tinker Hatfield, his 10th design for the Air Jordan line. The silhouette debuted a year earlier in late 1996, launching in a “White/Black/Taxi” color scheme coloquially referred to as the Taxi 12s. The “Cherry” option was one of four styles that followed the inaugural pair, and makes the most direct nod to Hatfield’s inspiration for the shoe: Japan’s flag. Known as Misshoki, the “Rising Sun” emblem on the Far East country’s flag was subtly recreated on the “Varsity Red”-accented sneaker. Unique stitching patterns across the upper resembled the sun’s rays while reptilian-textured mudguards brought bold ruby-colored flair to the forefront. Gold-plated eyelets and new branding hits – “T W O 3” on the tongue, “Jordan” patches on the spine – also marked a special occasion: the AJ12 marked the first sneaker to arrive without Nike logos anywhere – including the insoles – and the last to come packaged in swoosh-branded boxes.

Performance-wise, the Jordan 12 was also special as it employed full-length Zoom Air cushioning for the first time in Michael Jordan’s signature footwear line. Typically associated with Nike Running, Zoom Air delivered a different underfoot-feel to the sneaker. A fan of tech that helped his game, M.J. wore the Cherry 12s throughout the 1996-97 NBA season, and important one to his legacy. The shoes were on-feet when Jordan reached 25,000 career points on Nov. 11th, 1996 against the San Antonio Spurs.